Leopard 2A7 vs T-90M: Main Battle Tanks Compared
· By Archivo Bélico editorial team · Updated
Leopard 2A7 vs T-90M compared: armour, gun, mobility, crew and lessons from Ukraine for two modern main battle tanks, based on public data and sources.
Which is better, the Leopard 2A7 or the T-90M? In short, Germany's Leopard 2A7 is heavier, better protected and roomier for its crew; Russia's T-90M is lighter, lower and cheaper, with an autoloader that removes one crew member. This Leopard 2A7 vs T-90M comparison uses public data to set out two different philosophies of tank design.
Leopard 2A7 vs T-90M at a glance
- Leopard 2A7: Western school, putting protection and survival of a four-person crew first, with ample internal volume and a big engine.
- T-90M: Soviet school, favouring a low silhouette, moderate weight and mass production, with a three-person crew and explosive reactive armour.
Comparison table
| Feature | Leopard 2A7 / 2A7V | T-90M Proryv |
|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany | Russia |
| Approximate weight | 64-67 tonnes | About 48 tonnes |
| Main gun | 120 mm smoothbore (L55) | 125 mm smoothbore with autoloader |
| Crew | 4 (human loader) | 3 |
| Engine | About 1,500 hp | About 1,130 hp |
| Protection | Composite armour plus add-on modules | Composite and explosive reactive armour (Relikt) |
Protection: mass versus reactive armour
The Leopard relies on thick composite armour and modules added to match the threat, hence its weight. The T-90M combines composite armour with Relikt reactive blocks that explode outwards to deflect or degrade incoming rounds. The most discussed difference is inside: as in other Soviet-lineage tanks, the T-90M's autoloader ammunition sits in the hull beneath the turret, and its detonation after a hit has produced the well-known 'turret toss'. Russia has added protection in recent versions, but the design risk remains.
Firepower and fire control
The two guns are broadly comparable in effect. The Leopard 2A7 stands out for its sights and thermal imaging, highly rated by Western armies. The T-90M is a big step up from earlier versions with a new fire-control system and thermal sights, although sanctions have made it harder for Russian industry to source electronic components, according to several analyses.
What Ukraine has taught
A clarification matters here: Ukraine has received earlier Leopard 2 versions (mainly 2A4 and 2A6), not the 2A7. The T-90M has fought with the Russian army, and Ukraine has captured several. The shared lesson, according to RUSI and other analysts, is that no tank survives alone: drones, mines and artillery have destroyed tanks on both sides, and crew protection, logistics and infantry support matter as much as armour.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, the Leopard 2A7 or the T-90M?
- On paper the Leopard 2A7 offers more protection and better crew survivability; the T-90M is lighter, cheaper and easier to mass-produce.
- Has the Leopard 2A7 been used in Ukraine?
- Not according to public information: Ukraine has mainly received Leopard 2A4s and 2A6s.
- Why does the T-90M have a crew of three?
- An autoloader replaces the crew member who loads the gun, allowing a smaller turret and a lighter tank.
Further reading
Sources and references
- IISS, The Military Balance 2025.
- Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KNDS), public Leopard 2A7/2A7V fact sheets.
- Uralvagonzavod and Rosoboronexport, promotional material on the T-90M.
- Oryx, visually confirmed equipment losses in the war in Ukraine.
- RUSI, Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds, reports on lessons from the war in Ukraine (2023-2024).
- Steven J. Zaloga, reference works on tanks (Osprey).